Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) on Sunday defended the use of the term “genocide” to describe the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians could soon face starvation, according to a recent UN-backed report.
Ocasio-Cortez was asked by CNN's Jake Tapper about her comments on the floor of the House on Friday, in which she urged the US to deny additional aid to Israel. Tapper noted that the word genocide has specific connotations, emphasizing that it is distinguished from the “intent to destroy” a group of people.
“I think we've crossed the threshold of intent,” Ocasio-Cortez said, saying she knows the use of the word genocide is “extremely serious.”
The New York spokeswoman justified the use of the term, saying foreign governments, NGOs and US State Department officials also described it as such, and that the “forced starvation” residents in northern Gaza face due to Israel's blockade is proof .
“If you want to know what an unfolding genocide looks like, open your eyes,” Ocasio-Cortez said Friday during her speech to the House. “It looks like forced starvation of 1.1 million innocents.”
Tapper pushed back, offering comments he had received from Israeli officials about the genocide claim, who told him there were hundreds of aid trucks entering Gaza every day and that Israel would end its assault on Gaza if Hamas released the hostages and left under their arms.
“When we talk about famine, the actions of Hamas should not be linked to whether a three-year-old child can eat,” he replied.
Ocasio-Cortez has previously come under fire for refusing to use the term “genocide” when describing the situation in Gaza, culminating in a group of activists booing her while she was out with her partner.
The use of the term “genocide” to describe Israel's actions in Gaza has sparked heated debate. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which has consistently supported pro-Israel perspectives, criticized Ocasio-Cortez's use of the word Sunday.
“Genocide requires intent. And Israel has been crystal clear with its goals: To cripple Hamas terrorists and free the hostages,” the organization said on X, formerly Twitter. “@AOC's charge lacks proper factual or legal basis. Such statements only perpetuate false allegations and encourage hatred.”
AOC cited ADL on the same platform and responded: “There is no defense to forced starvation.”
from our partners at https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-defends-calling-israel-in-gaza-genocide-1234993709/